Recipes

[faeriemoon]

Looking for something that appeals to martini drinkers and is also "holiday special."  New Year's Eve, specifically.

I am pretty much a wine drinker so I don't know a whole lot about mixed drinks.  But I do know people often feature one kind of martini at a party; something pretty universal, but not boring.  Your ideas would be appreciated (along with the recipe. )

TIA 

[magicmoodz]

I am usually a devoted dirty martini (with blue cheese stuffed olives) lover. But for my birthday our favorite bartender made me a key lime martini.  I highly recommend and have since served these martinis at parties I have hosted.  In fact, many of my friends who might normally turn up their noses at a drink like this have become fans.  

Note:  This is definitely a drink for people who would otherwise not like drinking vodka (or gin) straight as in a regular martini.  

[sabatini]

I'll bet your party is gonna be fun, & it's nice that you're trying to come up w/ a festive martini.

You can decide to offer either a sweet or a savory martini.

At Christmas time, I've seen tiny candy canes used as a garnish/swizzle sticks for sweet martinis, but I'd forgo the crushed candy cane rims - they always start to run down the sides of the glass & make a sticky mess.

(Speaking of sugared rims: back east some bars offer cinnamon sugared rims for their pumpkin beer.)

You can float a sage leaf in the glass, or skewer the olives w/ a rosemary sprig.

Blue Curacao makes a prettily colored martini, & there are tons of martini recipes on Pinterest.

Enjoy your party!

[ECBG]

There are many fruit flavored vodkas.  You mighy chose a universally liked flavor like strawberry or mango.

[rrpell]

My vote would be for Giada  De Laurentiis' Chocolate-Espresso Martinis.  They are delicious and will help everyone stay up until midnight 🙂

Ingredients:
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
2/3 cup brewed espresso, chilled
2/3 cup coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua
2/3 cup vanilla-flavored vodka
Ice

Combine the chocolate and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl and place over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth, 2 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
Dip the rims of 4 martini glasses into the melted chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Chill the glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes.
In a pitcher, mix together the espresso, coffee liqueur and vodka. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. In batches, add the vodka mixture and shake for 10 seconds. Strain the mixture into the prepared glasses and serve.
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

[faeriemoon]

Thank you one and all. 

[Poodlepet2]

Clinton Kelly and Michael Simon on "The Chew" always have fabulous cocktails and martinis of all kinds....Honestly, I would begin the evening with dry-save the sweet " I can't taste the alcohol-and it's New Year's" for later....it all depends on the crowd you are having etc. Ad nauseam....and it is important.  I am not going to preach, but I have seen Clinton pair martinis with little easy to prepare appetizers- Be safe and may all your guests enjoy!

Poodlepet2